"There are no answers. That’s the answer. There ain’t any answer. There ain’t going to be any answer. There never has been an answer. That’s the answer." (Gertrude Stein)

Sunday, November 25, 2007

The Great Christmas Tree Debate

Okay, so for the last several years about this time, I wonder: should I invest in a quality artificial Christmas tree? Here are the reasons for wondering:1. I don't really enjoy the hassle of putting the lights on the tree.2. I love having a tree up for the longest possible time. Which means I have a fire hazard in my home.*3. Those are my only two reasons.

Ecologically, it seems to be a wash *if* one purchases a particularly good tree that will last a long time. On the other hand, if one were to go out of one's way to buy a fresh, local tree, that would tip things in the other direction. Though that still leaves me with the messy set-up & take-down of the natural tree.

And one can purchase those tree-watering things to make it easier to keep the damn thing hydrated.

I sound grumpy, but it's only because I really really really love Christmas trees. I think it's genetic.

This year, I think I'm going natural again. Maybe next weekend, as a reward for grading my brains out. And I'll get the tree-watering thingy at Home Depot.

*The folks at the National Fire Protection Association report that nearly half of all home fires that started in trees--real or artifical--were due to faulty wiring, while another 27 percent were due to placing the darn thing to close to a heat source. So I suppose I can reduce my odds considerably by being practical, eh?

1 comment:

Definitely get a real tree! A local tree would be great. We almost got a tree this weekend, but decided it would die before the actual day. So I think we may get one next weekend. Maybe go to a farm. But we want a small one. To go with our small house.Happy watering!!